Next Tuesday there will be a rare spectacle in the midday sky: a partial solar eclipse. According to the Sternfreunde Deutschland, it lasts two hours and can be seen throughout Central Europe – provided the weather cooperates and there are no clouds blocking the view. The last partial solar eclipse was visible in Central Europe in June last year, the next one will not be here until the end of March 2025. If the spectacle appeals to you, you should make a note of October 25th.
Depending on the location, the moon will cover between around 20 and more than 30 percent of the star in the center of our solar system, the star friends said. “So everyone can take a look at the sun during their lunch break and marvel at the darkness,” says a statement. In Kiel the moon begins to move in front of the sun at 11.07 a.m., in Berlin as well as in Cologne at around 11.10 a.m., in Munich the spectacle begins shortly after 11.14 a.m. Around an hour later, the maximum coverage is reached, which decreases from northeast to southwest.
The Federal Office for Radiation Protection warns against observing the event unprotected – whether with the naked eye, through binoculars, cameras or telescopes. Solar eclipse glasses are available for viewing with the naked eye. According to EU standards, these should be considered safe, must not have any scratches or holes and should be as close as possible to the face. A direct and unprotected look can damage the retina in a very short time.
No more than 0.001 percent of sunlight should get through the glasses. Conventional sunglasses or welding goggles, but also other possible expedients are not suitable. For optical devices there are special filter attachments or foils in specialist shops.
A solar eclipse is a rare event because several factors have to come together for it to happen. According to the star friends, it can only occur at new moon and when the moon is exactly between the earth and the sun. Due to the inclination of the moon’s orbit, it usually passes above or below the sun. There are a maximum of two to four solar eclipses a year somewhere on earth.
